President’s Message…

Over the past months the die-hards have been flying but now March is upon us and soon the weather will improve to the point that flying will become a pleasure again.

Several events are coming up including the Lebanon Swap Meet on March 12^th and the TCWS Swap Meet on March 26^th.  Volunteers from the club are still needed for both events.  If you can spare some time at either event it is appreciated.  Contact Walt Gladney or Dave Renninger to help out.

There will be several vendors sponsoring tables at our Swap Meet in March. Please remember to stop by and give them your patronage as a means of saying thanks for participating.  These vendors are as follows;

• Bruckner Hobbies – Hobby Store
• Buc-Le-Aero Sportsman – Sun glasses, ties, etc
• Howard Bueschel – Model Engines
• Kircher R/C products – Hobby Store
• Curvin Eisenhard – plywood 1’ x 5’
• SKS Video – R/C Videos
• Lewis Schwab – Glues, etc.
• Yin-Hsung Lee Lynn – wire and electrical stuff
•  

Club Jackets and Polo shirts are available on an order only basis.  Jackets are $35 ea. in sizes to XL. XXL and XXXL are slightly higher.  There are also some options that cost extra.  The Polo Shirts are $20 with the larger sizes and options costing extra also.  Contact John Messersmith for an order form.  Also, the forms and samples will be at the March Meeting and at the Swap Meet.  Come and see them, they are very nice.

Don't forget, the March Meeting is one week earlier, on March 13^th!

The Club fuel sale is going well.  Terry Miller is the contact and reports that there is a good amount pre-sold.  Cost is $7.50/Gal. And must be paid by March 27^th.

We are having a field clean up day on April 2^nd, rain or shine and need all members to participate.  The driveway needs to be raked to get the stones back to where they belong. In addition there will be new stone added and that will also need to be smoothed out.  The snow fence will need to be taken down and other clean up tasks performed. As in previous years lunch will be provided to those who volunteer.

Until next time, may all your landings be soft and smooth!   John         

Unofficial Meeting Minutes… 20 February 2005

President John Messersmith called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Hamburg, PA.  (23) members, and (1) associate member were present.  Jack Hilbert read the Secretary’s report for January with a motion to accept by Bud Wunder, seconded by Bill Eisenhard, and all approved.  Dale Loop read the Treasurer’s report as of 20 February 2005.  A motion to accept was made by Dave Renninger, seconded by George Case, and all approved.  Billy Colasanti won the 50/50 raffle drawing,

The Dremel tool kitchen raffle was held and won by Dale Loop.

1.      2005 Lebanon Swap Meet Update -

a.      John Messersmith still has one advanced admission ticket available for $7.00.

b.      Walt Gladney indicated we have minimum table coverage and if anyone can spend some time at the club tables, it would be appreciated.

2.      2005 Hamburg Swap Meet Update -

a.      Dave Renninger reported that 65% of the tables have been sold.

b.      Volunteers are needed in the Kitchen area to take food orders and collect money.

c.      Reminder that table set-up is Friday, 25 March at 1:00 PM.

3.      2005 June Fun Fly In –

a.      Dave Renninger has made new flyer.

b.      John Messersmith has sent it to AMA.

c.      Additional flyers to be distributed at Lebanon and Hamburg.

d.      Jack Hilbert will be responsible for the kitchen activity that weekend.

4.      Family Picnic –

a.      Bud Wunder had nothing new to report as of yet.

5.      New Club Jackets / Shirts -

a.      John Messersmith presented samples for new club jackets and shirts.

b.      Jacket prices are in the $35 - $39 range depending on size and options.

c.      Shirt prices are in the $20 - $22 range, depending on size and options.

d.      Order forms are in the newsletter or can be obtained from any club officer.

6.      Bulk Fuel Sale

a.      Terry Miller is coordinating the orders and delivery for the 15% nitro fuel.

b.      Orders will be taken through the end of March and fuel will be delivered early April to the TCWS field.

c.      A motion was made by Dale Loop and seconded by Dale Kugler for the club to purchase any extra fuel for sale through-out the summer months.

7.      Building and Grounds Committee Update -

a.      Lee Buskirk will obtain the necessary dry chemicals for Spring treatment.

b.      George Case and Dennis Christman are coordinating the replacement of oil seals in the tractor,

There was no other old business at the time.

New Business

1.                  Field Lease

a.      A committee being headed by Jack Hilbert will meet to discuss the planning process and concerns for conducting new lease discussions with the Christmans.

2.                  Kitchen Cooler Repair

a.      The kitchen cooler compressor is in need of repair.

b.      Bill Eisenhard is checking options as is Lee Buskirk.

c.      Anyone having any leads on a new / used unit would be appreciated.

d.      All options to be explored and a decision made at the March meeting.

3.                  Field Clean-Up Day

a.      Scheduled for 02 April 2005

                                                   i.      Work starts at 9:00 AM

                                                 ii.      Lunch will be provided for all those helping out

                                                iii.      Work to be accomplished includes;

                                               iv.      Spreading new stone on road

1.      Motion made to purchase stone by Dale Kugler, seconded by Bill Eisenhard and approved by all.

                                                 v.      Raking stone under pavilion

                                               vi.      General clean-up.

                                              vii.      Weather protecting the picnic tables and flight stands.

Upcoming R/C Events…

WRAM Show – White Plains, New York

25^th, 26^th and 27^th of February

Check website for details: www.wram.org

C.P.A.A. Lebanon Swap Meet

12 March - Doors open at 9:00 AM

Check website for details: www.cpaa.us

TCWS Annual Hamburg Swap Meet

26 March – Hamburg Field House

Doors open at 8:00 AM

Bus Trip to National Air and Space Museum – Washington DC

05 March 2005

Sponsored by Golden Age Air Museum

Call for reservations and details – 717-933-9566

Web Sites…

1.      www.modelaircraft.org/templates/ama/-1-4news.asp – The AMA National Newsletter can be found on this website.

2.      www.tcws.org Our club web site has been updated with new pictures and information – thanks to Vince Indelicato for his time and service.

3.      www.hurtwood.demon.co.uk/Fun/copter.swf -- You Wanna Be heli pilots should check this out – thanks Nanci for the tip.

Editor note: If anyone has a web site to share – please let me know - thanks -   Jack

Bulk Fuel Sale…

Please note the club will sponsor a bulk fuel sale.  We will purchase S&W fuel in (55) gallon drums at discount prices.  You provide your own containers.  Fuel will be delivered at the field around the first weekend in April.  Money must be PREPAID with your order and delivery of containers.  If you don’t have any actual fuel containers, things like windshield washer fluid, bleach and liquid soap containers, etc. also work.  BE SURE ALL CONTAINERS ARE WASHED THOROUGHLY WITH WATER ONLY.

Containers can be brought to the March meeting.  Be sure your name is marked on EACH container. Fuel will cost +/- $7.50 per gallon for 15% nitro.  All sales subject to getting sufficient orders to justify purchase of (55) gallon drums.

Terry Miller is fuel sale coordinator – contact him directly for ordering and arranging pre-payment. 

From the TCWS Kitchen…

Thank you to all those who participated in the Dremel Tool Kit raffle.  Dale Loop won the grand prize.  The proceeds were used to purchase a small rotisserie Hot Dog maker for the Kitchen at no cost to the club treasury.

Flying In The Cold…

Here are a few reminders about flying in very cold weather;

1.      Keep the batteries in your flight box, glow igniter, Tx and Rx well charged.  The cold cuts back on the efficiency of the batteries.  They don’t hold their charge as long as in warmer weather.  Leave your Tx, flight box, etc. inside your car or some other warm place when not in use.

2.      Switch to a higher nitro content fuel in winter.  The engine will run better because of the higher operating temperature.  Keep your fuel warm too if possible.

3.      Keep your airplane in a warm place.  It usually is the difference between getting your engine started and ready to fly or just going for a nice drive to the field.  A trick to try – set your airplane under the engine of your car IF YOU HAVE THE GROUNND CLEARANCE.  If you keep the airplane in your car with the skis on, make sure when you bring it out you immediately push it around in the snow until the skis are cold., otherwise, the snow sticks to the skis and the airplane won’t glide as well.

4.      After you get your engine running, leave the glow igniter on for a little while.  Let the engine run until it warms up.  You don’t need to rev it up or stab at the throttle.  Just let it run for a few minutes.  You’ll probably have to set the idle speed up slightly higher, even after the warm-up period.

5.      In the winter, you can also connect an exhaust tube to the muffler in order to keep the fuel from freezing to your airplane.  If the fuel freezes to the muffler, it is difficult to remove until it warms up, then it runs all over.  You’ll probably have to richen the engine some, but it’s nice having a clean airplane to take home.

Editors note:  This article originally was submitted by the Twin City Flyers and more recently, appeared in the Jan/Feb Cocalico newsletter.  Thanks to Bud Wunder for submitting it to TCWS.

Club Officers…

John Messersmith - President         610. 562. 4767     blu-Ftas@comcast.net

Terry Miller - Vice President               610. 944.0300      trmflies@ptd.net

Jack Hilbert - Secretary & Editor       610. 657. 5286     jdhilbert@aol.com

Dale Loop - Treasurer                        610. 562. 0643     mrbehavan2@aol.com

Board of Directors…

Jeff Shriver            (exp. 2007)            610. 366. 1820                    

Vince Indelicato   (exp. 2006)            610. 845. 3222                     vince@southeast-pa.com

Nelson Gould       (exp. 2007)            610. 395. 9159                     at6snj@rcn.com

Building & Grounds Committee…

Dennis Christman – Chairman        610. 562. 3680                     christmanlake@aol.com  

                                George Case                                       610. 264. 9782

Dave Renninger                                  610. 374. 2306                     xxspeed@comcast.net

Terry Miller                                            610. 944. 0300                     trmflies@ptd.net

Lee Buskirk                                          610. 751. 1464                     lbjms@verizon.net

Flight Instructors…

Dave Renninger                                  610. 374. 2306                     xxspeed@comcast.net

Erik Rudjord                                         610. 285. 2176                     ejorudjord@cs.com

Bill O’Neill                                             610. 435. 9640                     oneillwj@aol.com

Field Marshals…

Kip Daubert                                                                                          spinrb8@webtv.net

Jack Hilbert                                           610.767.6938                       jdhilbert@aol.com

Safety Officers…

Kip Daubert                                                                                          spinrb8@webtv.net

Larry Dunkle                                         610.929.2159                       larry4113@netzero.net

Membership Officer…

Lee Buskirk                                          610.751.1464                       lbjms@verizon.net

Winter Meeting Schedule

·  Sunday, March 13^th 2005, Hamburg Moose Lodge – 1:30 PM

·  Sunday, April 17^th 2005, Hamburg Moose Lodge - 1:30 PM

·  Sunday, May 15th 2005, TCWS Field - 1:30 PM